Officials pleased with final budget for Holland Recreation Center
Officials approved a $25.6 million budget for the new Holland Recreation Center during a meeting Nov. 4. “That's under what we had originally talked to you about, (and) way under the nervous numbers we were getting to,” said Assistant City Manager Matt Van Dyken. “... (We are) very happy with the way the bids came back.” Holland City Council also voted to amend a contract with Lakewood Construction and authorized the City Manager’s Office to approve change orders of up to $50,000. “We do not plan on coming back with an increase to this budget,” Van Dyken said. “I actually think we may be able to find some value that we can take back out of this budget.” The approvals are the latest step in a monthslong process. In July, officials approved $22 million in capital improvement bonds for the development. That's in addition to a $5 million donation from the Heeringa Estate. More: Holland City Council approves recreation center bonds up to $22M In September, councilmembers approved a $1.089 million early site work package covering the preparation needed to support the building’s structure. The 83,000-square-foot recreation center is planned on Fairbanks Avenue near Hope College’s Ray and Sue Smith